Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet – Naughty Dog’s Sci-Fi Evolution
Naughty Dog’s bold new venture, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, marks a radical genre shift from its grounded, emotional storytelling roots. Unveiled at The Game Awards 2024, the game offers a pulpy sci-fi adventure filled with expansive world-building, character-driven drama, and new gameplay philosophies.
What We Know:
- Genre & Setting: A sci-fi action-adventure set in an alternate universe where advanced space travel existed as early as 1986. The story takes place thousands of years into the future.
- Main Character: Players control Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter portrayed by Uncharted movie star Tati Gabrielle, stranded on the remote planet Sempiria, isolated for over 600 years.
- Creative Team:
- Directed by Neil Druckmann
- Co-written by Clair Carré
- Game Directors: Matthew Gallant and Kurt Margenau
- Co-star: Kumail Nanjiani
- Gameplay Direction: Inspired by Elden Ring, Druckmann promises more freedom, exploration, and non-linearity—a major departure from Naughty Dog’s traditionally linear narrative design.
- Music: Scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the game promises an atmospheric and emotionally charged soundscape.
- Release Timeline: While still without a confirmed date, Druckmann noted in March 2025 that the game is “playable and really good,” fueling hopes for a 2027 release.
Highlight:
- New IP Revealed: Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi action-adventure game set in a far-future galaxy.
- Key Creative Talent: Directed by Neil Druckmann, with writing support from Clair Carré, and music by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.
- Playable Now, Releasing Later: Confirmed playable in 2025; likely launch in 2027.
- Mysterious Second Game: Naughty Dog is also developing another unannounced AAA single-player title.
- Studio Expansion: Marking a shift from one-title focus to multi-project development.
The Mysterious Second Project: A New IP or Uncharted Revival?
In addition to Intergalactic, Naughty Dog is actively developing a second AAA single-player game, confirmed by Druckmann in May 2025. Interestingly, Druckmann will not be directing this title, but instead taking a producer and mentor role, hinting at a different creative lead and direction.
What Could It Be?
- Not The Last of Us Part III: Despite fan hopes, Druckmann’s reduced involvement suggests this is not a direct continuation of Joel and Ellie’s saga.
- Uncharted Spin-Off?: Rumors from insider Daniel Richtman point to Shaun Escayg directing—hinting at a possible return to the Uncharted universe, perhaps with new protagonists or a fresh setting.
- Another Original IP?: Some reports claim this project has been in development for over three years, reinforcing the possibility of an entirely new narrative universe distinct from Naughty Dog's existing franchises.
Naughty Dog’s New Era: Expanding Beyond a One-Project Studio
The announcement of two simultaneous AAA single-player games marks a transformative shift for Naughty Dog. Historically known for their single-project focus, the studio appears to be scaling operations to embrace multi-track development, driven by a renewed commitment to original storytelling and genre experimentation.
This pivot comes after notable challenges, including the cancellation of The Last of Us Online in December 2023, which was dropped in favor of focusing entirely on single-player excellence. The move aligns with the studio’s strategic redirection and fan-favored strengths.
Looking Ahead: From Grounded Realism to Galactic Frontiers
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet signals a daring leap into uncharted—pun intended—territory for Naughty Dog. With a deep sci-fi lore, an emotional character arc, and open-world design inspirations, the game has the potential to redefine the studio’s identity.
Meanwhile, anticipation for the second unannounced title only heightens, as fans eagerly speculate about a potential Uncharted revival, or a groundbreaking new IP waiting to be unveiled.
